Last Updated: December 24, 2025
Steam rises from a bowl of aromatic broth, rice noodles peek through fresh herbs, and the first sip transports you straight to the streets of Saigon—all without leaving Ottawa’s Somerset Street.
Ottawa’s Vietnamese food scene has quietly become one of the city’s greatest culinary treasures, centred in the vibrant Chinatown district along Somerset Street West. For nearly five decades, Vietnamese-Canadian families have built a dining destination where authentic pho, crispy banh mi, and fragrant ca phe sua da compete for your attention on every block. Whether you’re a pho purist seeking the perfect broth or an adventurous eater exploring beyond the noodle bowl, Ottawa’s Vietnamese restaurants deliver flavours that rival any city in North America. This guide reveals where locals eat, what to order, and how to navigate one of Ottawa’s most delicious neighbourhoods.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa’s Chinatown on Somerset Street West is home to the city’s best pho and Vietnamese food. Standout restaurants include Pho By Night for late-night bowls, Pho Bo Ga La for traditional flavours, and Co Cham for modern Vietnamese. Most bowls cost $12-18, with generous portions and lunch specials under $15.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 🍜 Best Neighbourhood | Somerset Street West (Chinatown) |
| 📍 Key Stretch | Somerset between Bronson and Preston |
| 💰 Price Range | $12-20 per person |
| ⏰ Best Time | Lunch specials 11am-2pm weekdays |
Ottawa’s Chinatown: Heart of Vietnamese Cuisine
Ottawa’s Chinatown along Somerset Street West represents one of Canada’s most authentic Asian food districts, and Vietnamese cuisine dominates the landscape. The story began in the 1970s and 1980s when Vietnamese refugees settled in Ottawa, bringing culinary traditions that would transform this stretch of Somerset into a dining destination.
Unlike some North American Chinatowns that have become tourist attractions, Ottawa’s version remains deeply rooted in community. Vietnamese families still operate restaurants their parents or grandparents opened decades ago. The competition is fierce—a dozen pho restaurants within a few blocks means only the best survive. This environment breeds excellence, with each establishment perfecting recipes passed through generations.
The distinctive red and gold Chinatown gates mark the neighbourhood’s entrance, but the real gateway is the aroma of simmering pho broth that greets you blocks away. Walking Somerset between Bronson and Preston, you’ll encounter Vietnamese restaurants, bubble tea shops, Asian grocery stores, and bakeries that serve the local Vietnamese-Canadian community daily. This isn’t performative authenticity—it’s genuine neighbourhood dining where English menus exist alongside Vietnamese, and regulars greet owners by name.
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Best Pho Restaurants in Ottawa
Pho By Night
The name says it all—this Somerset Street institution serves pho until 4am on weekends, making it the definitive late-night destination for Ottawa’s pho lovers. Beyond the hours, Pho By Night earns its reputation through consistently excellent broth, generous portions, and prices that haven’t kept pace with inflation.
What Sets It Apart:
- Broth simmered for over 12 hours with authentic spice blend
- Generous meat portions in every bowl
- Late-night hours (open until 4am Friday-Saturday)
- Cash-friendly pricing with large bowls under $15
Must-Order: The pho dac biet (special pho) combines rare beef, brisket, tendon, and tripe for the complete experience. Add extra beef balls if you appreciate the bouncy texture that defines quality Vietnamese meatballs.
Location: Somerset Street West, Chinatown
Pho Bo Ga La
This family-run restaurant has earned devoted followers who swear the broth here reaches perfection. The name translates roughly to “Beef and Chicken Pho,” reflecting the menu’s dual focus on both traditional broths. While many restaurants excel at beef pho, Pho Bo Ga La’s chicken version (pho ga) deserves equal attention.
Signature Qualities:
- Crystal-clear broth with deep, complex flavour
- Fresh rice noodles cooked to perfect texture
- Excellent pho ga (chicken pho) for lighter appetites
- Family recipes maintained for decades
Pro Tip: Order the medium size if you’re new to pho—portions run generous and leave room for a Vietnamese iced coffee to finish.
New Pho Bo Ga La
Related to but distinct from the original, New Pho Bo Ga La operates as its own establishment with a loyal following. Some locals prefer this location for slightly different broth characteristics and a menu that extends beyond pho into other Vietnamese classics.
Why Locals Choose It:
- Subtle broth variations that some prefer
- Expanded menu beyond pho
- Consistent quality across visits
- Comfortable, no-frills dining room
Pho Thu Do
Named after Vietnam’s capital (Thu Do means “capital city”), this restaurant brings a slightly different regional approach to pho. The broth tends toward the cleaner Hanoi style rather than the sweeter Saigon version, appealing to purists who appreciate subtle distinction.
Distinguishing Features:
- Northern Vietnamese-influenced broth
- Excellent vermicelli bowls as pho alternatives
- Quality banh mi sandwiches
- Reliable lunch specials
Co Cham
For diners seeking Vietnamese flavours in a more contemporary setting, Co Cham bridges traditional recipes with modern presentation. The restaurant offers dishes beyond standard pho shop fare while maintaining authenticity in preparation and ingredients.
Modern Vietnamese Approach:
- Updated atmosphere without sacrificing flavour
- Creative menu items alongside classics
- Quality cocktails and beverages
- Good option for introducing newcomers to Vietnamese cuisine
Beyond Pho: Vietnamese Dishes Worth Ordering
While pho dominates conversations about Vietnamese food, limiting yourself to noodle soup means missing half the culinary landscape. Ottawa’s Vietnamese restaurants excel across the menu.
Banh Mi: The Perfect Sandwich
The Vietnamese baguette sandwich combines French colonial influence with Southeast Asian flavours—crispy bread, pate, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and proteins ranging from grilled pork to cold cuts. Several spots along Somerset serve exceptional banh mi at prices that make lunch a steal.
What Makes Great Banh Mi:
- Crusty baguette with soft interior
- Balance of savory pate and fresh vegetables
- Pickled daikon and carrot for crunch
- Fresh cilantro and optional jalapeno heat
Best Options: Most pho restaurants offer banh mi, but dedicated Vietnamese bakeries along Somerset often produce superior bread. Look for places where locals line up at lunch—the turnover ensures freshness.
Vermicelli Bowls (Bun)
Cold rice vermicelli topped with grilled meats, fresh vegetables, herbs, and nuoc cham dipping sauce offers a refreshing alternative to hot pho, particularly appealing during Ottawa’s summer months.
Popular Variations:
- Bun thit nuong: Grilled pork over vermicelli
- Bun cha gio: Spring rolls with vermicelli
- Bun bo Hue: Spicy beef vermicelli soup (served hot)
Broken Rice Dishes (Com Tam)
Grilled pork chop over broken rice with pickled vegetables, a fried egg, and fish sauce represents Vietnamese comfort food at its finest. The broken rice grains absorb sauce beautifully while maintaining pleasant texture.
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Vietnamese Coffee and Bubble Tea Culture
No Vietnamese meal is complete without the right beverage, and Ottawa’s Chinatown delivers exceptional options.
Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee)
Strong dark roast coffee brewed through a traditional phin filter, sweetened with condensed milk, and poured over ice creates one of the world’s great coffee drinks. The slow drip process produces intense flavour that stands up to the sweetened milk, resulting in a balanced, addictive beverage.
Where to Find It: Most Vietnamese restaurants serve ca phe sua da, but quality varies. Look for places using traditional phin filters rather than pre-made concentrate. The wait for proper drip coffee is worth it.
Bubble Tea Paradise
Somerset Street hosts numerous bubble tea shops serving the Taiwanese-originated drink that has become synonymous with Asian cafe culture. Tapioca pearls, fruit jellies, and countless flavour combinations attract students, families, and bubble tea enthusiasts from across Ottawa.
Popular Shops: The concentration of bubble tea establishments along Somerset means competition keeps quality high and prices reasonable. Most shops offer both milk tea and fruit tea bases with customizable sweetness and ice levels.
Che (Vietnamese Desserts)
Traditional Vietnamese desserts combine beans, jellies, coconut milk, and tropical fruits in layered creations served cold. Less commonly found than pho or bubble tea, che rewards those who seek it out at restaurants with expanded dessert menus.
Chinatown Dining Tips and Etiquette
How to Order Pho Like a Local
Step 1: Choose your broth—beef (pho bo) or chicken (pho ga). Beef is traditional and more common.
Step 2: Select your protein. Options typically include:
- Tai: Rare beef (cooks in hot broth)
- Chin: Well-done brisket
- Gau: Fatty brisket
- Gan: Tendon
- Sach: Tripe
- Bo vien: Beef meatballs
- Dac biet: Special combination of everything
Step 3: Choose your size. Large portions feed most appetites; medium works for lighter eaters or those planning to order sides.
Step 4: Customize at the table. Add bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime, and jalapeno from the provided garnish plate. Squeeze hoisin and sriracha into a small dish for dipping meat, or add directly to broth according to preference.
Lunch Specials: Best Value
Most Vietnamese restaurants offer lunch specials between 11am and 2pm on weekdays, combining pho or vermicelli bowls with spring rolls or other sides at significant savings. These specials attract local office workers and represent excellent value for visitors on a budget.
Cash vs. Card
While many Chinatown restaurants now accept cards, some smaller establishments prefer cash. Bringing twenty to thirty dollars cash ensures you can dine anywhere without worry. ATMs are available throughout the neighbourhood.
Exploring Greater Ottawa Vietnamese Food
While Chinatown concentrates the best Vietnamese dining, excellent options exist throughout Ottawa for those unable to reach Somerset Street.
Westboro and Hintonburg: A few Vietnamese restaurants serve the western neighbourhoods, though selection is more limited than Chinatown.
Orleans and Kanata: Suburban Vietnamese restaurants cater to Vietnamese-Canadian families living in these areas, often with expanded menus and larger spaces.
Gatineau: Across the river in Quebec, additional Vietnamese restaurants serve the Hull and Gatineau communities.
For the most authentic experience and greatest selection, Somerset Street remains the destination. The concentration of restaurants, the competitive environment that demands quality, and the genuine community atmosphere cannot be replicated in suburban strip malls.
Planning Your Vietnamese Food Adventure
Suggested Itineraries
Quick Lunch (1 hour): Pick any reputable pho restaurant on Somerset, order a bowl and Vietnamese coffee, and experience the basics.
Half-Day Food Crawl (3-4 hours): Start with banh mi for early lunch, browse Asian grocery stores for snacks and ingredients, enjoy pho as a late lunch, and finish with bubble tea.
Evening Experience: Many pho restaurants serve until 10pm or later, with Pho By Night extending until 4am on weekends. Combine dinner with exploration of Ottawa’s nightlife scene in neighbouring areas.
Combining with Other Ottawa Attractions
Chinatown’s central location makes it easy to combine with other Ottawa experiences. The neighbourhood sits within walking distance of Little Italy on Preston Street and connects to downtown via Somerset. After exploring Parliament Hill or the ByWard Market, Chinatown offers a complete change of pace and flavour.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best pho restaurant in Ottawa?
Locals debate this endlessly, but Pho By Night, Pho Bo Ga La, and Pho Thu Do consistently appear on “best of” lists. Each offers slightly different broth characteristics, so trying multiple spots helps you find your personal favourite. The good news: quality remains high across Chinatown’s established restaurants.
Q: How much does a bowl of pho cost in Ottawa?
Expect to pay between $12-18 for a large bowl of pho at most Chinatown restaurants in 2025. Lunch specials often reduce this to $10-14 with included side dishes. Prices have increased recently but remain reasonable compared to other restaurant meals.
Q: Is Ottawa’s Chinatown safe to visit?
Yes, Chinatown is a busy, well-lit commercial district that feels safe during business hours and into the evening. Standard urban awareness applies, but the neighbourhood’s active restaurant scene and regular foot traffic create a welcoming environment for visitors.
Q: Do I need to speak Vietnamese to order?
No, all Chinatown restaurants are accustomed to English-speaking customers. Menus include English translations and numbers, and staff are experienced at helping newcomers navigate options. Pointing at menu items or neighbouring tables works perfectly well.
Q: What if I don’t eat meat?
Vietnamese cuisine offers excellent vegetarian options including vegetable pho, tofu vermicelli bowls, vegetable banh mi, and numerous vegetable dishes. Many restaurants have dedicated vegetarian sections on their menus. Ask about fish sauce if you’re strictly vegan, as it appears in many traditional preparations.
Q: When is Chinatown busiest?
Weekend lunches (11am-2pm Saturday and Sunday) see the heaviest crowds. Weekday lunches attract office workers but move quickly. Evenings are generally less busy except Friday and Saturday nights. For a relaxed experience, try mid-afternoon on weekdays.
Final Thoughts
Ottawa’s Vietnamese food scene represents decades of culinary tradition transplanted from Southeast Asia and nurtured by Vietnamese-Canadian families committed to authentic flavours. The concentration of restaurants along Somerset Street creates healthy competition that benefits diners—only the best survive, and mediocrity quickly fails in an environment where better pho is always a few doors away.
Whether you’re craving the comfort of steaming pho broth on a cold Ottawa winter day, seeking a crispy banh mi for lunch, or exploring the broader range of Vietnamese cuisine, Chinatown delivers experiences that rival any city in Canada. The neighbourhood maintains its community character even as it welcomes visitors, offering genuine flavours without tourist-focused compromise.
Start with a bowl of pho dac biet at any of the recommended restaurants, add Vietnamese coffee, and explore from there. Each visit reveals new dishes, new favourites, and deeper appreciation for one of Ottawa’s most delicious neighbourhoods.
Source: Local Ottawa restaurant research, Chinatown Business Improvement Area, Ottawa food community recommendations - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
For more Ottawa dining guides, explore our Where to Go category and discover hidden gem restaurants throughout the city.
